Brewed For Change

In the latest episode of Brewed for Change, Karishma Gajaria of Green Frontier Capital speaks with Vishal Mahajan, Director at Brand Capital (Times of India Group), about his transition from investment banking to venture capital and how Brand Capital takes a differentiated approach to investing in consumer-driven and disruptive businesses. The discussion covered the importance of patient capital, the rise of green and sustainable startups, and how strategic investments can help disruptive companies scale effectively.

00:00 Introduction to Brood for Change

00:37 Vishal Mahajan's Career Journey

05:15 Brand Capital's Unique Investment Approach

18:04 Success Metrics and Challenges

24:06 Focus on Green and Sustainable Startups

34:48 Future of the Startup Ecosystem

39:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, host Sandiip Bhammer of Green Frontier Capital interviews Dr. Jagjit Nanda, Executive Director of SLAC-Stanford Battery Center. They discuss his career and research on battery technology, focusing on innovations in battery chemistries. Dr. Nanda talks about Rincell, the role of universities, and collaborative efforts in scaling tech innovations. He also shares how he contributes to India's growth from the U.S., emphasising collaboration and globalisation's impact on climate tech.

Dive in to unpack a whole lot of knowledge about CO2 capture, patient capital for energy transitions, and the global north vs. global south divide in tech.

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This week Ritika Jajoo sat down with Dhruba Purkayastha, PhD, India Director for Climate Policy Initiative, a global nonprofit research and advisory institution whose mission is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change.

Dr. Dhruba speaks in depth about his work at the Climate Policy Initiative, including the anchor role they have played on the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group.

Topics include how the notion of a "Just Transition" has taken center stage, and Dr. Dhruba's insights about what sectors in India will play pivotal roles in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

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This episode of ‘Brewed for Change' features a discussion between the host Sandiip Bhammer, Founder and Managing partner of Green Frontier Capital, and Tarun Khanna Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor at Harvard Business School. They explore the impact of socioeconomic factors on India's approach to climate change, the role of local innovation, and the need for public-private partnerships. Professor Khanna emphasises the importance of entrepreneurship in driving technological transitions and the potential for India to lead the global South through example. The conversation also touches on the role of academia in preparing future leaders for the green economy and the importance of cross-border collaboration, particularly between the US and India, in advancing climate tech. Key challenges and future opportunities for India and the United States in the climate change sector are also discussed.

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This week we sat down with Anand Nagarajan, Co-Founder and CEO of Liberate Foods who produces Shaka Harry plant-based meat products for the Indian consumer. 

Mr. Nagarajan shared some of his journey as an entrepreneur, and mission to impact consumption from a commercial standpoint. Central to this was his recognition that Indians eat meat differently, and to develop great-tasting products that reflect Indian cuisine and the Indian palate. 

Mr. Nagarajan explained the three alternative protein technologies: plant-based, precision fermentation, and lab-grown meat. In the near future, Liberate Foods will be the only company in India that has all three of these technologies in-house.

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This week on "Brewed For Change," Ritika Jajoo speaks with open network pioneer, T Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce). For over 25 years T Koshy has been an integral part of digital solutions for population-scale problems. His journey is a testament to India's evolving tech ecosystem, where individuals like him play pivotal roles in shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship.

The ONDC represents a transformative initiative by the Indian government to revolutionize the digital commerce landscape. Designed to promote fair competition, empower consumers, and foster innovation, ONDC serves as a decentralized platform that facilitates seamless transactions and promotes inclusivity in the digital marketplace. By leveraging blockchain technology and open APIs, ONDC aims to democratize access to digital commerce infrastructure, enabling businesses of all sizes to thrive in the digital economy.

T Koshy's involvement with ONDC epitomizes his commitment to harnessing technology for societal good and economic empowerment. As an early adopter and advocate of ONDC, Koshy recognizes its potential to democratize commerce and drive socio-economic development across India. Through his innovative endeavors and collaborative efforts within the ONDC ecosystem, Koshy serves as an inspiration for aspiring technologists and business leaders striving to make a meaningful impact in the digital age.

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In this episode of Green Frontier Capital's ‘Brewed for Change,' our host Ritika interviews Mr. Thomas Kerr, the lead climate specialist for South Asia at the World Bank Group.

Mr. Kerr shares his extensive experience working in climate change, starting from his time at the Environmental Protection Agency to his current role. They discuss various climate issues in South Asia, such as extreme heat, coastal storms, and glacial melt, along with their economic impacts.

Mr. Kerr elaborates on the importance of resilience and adaptation, highlighting specific risks and successful solutions in the region. The conversation also touches on international climate finance mechanisms, innovative financing models like carbon pricing and green bonds, and the role of the World Bank in facilitating climate action.

Tune in to learn about the complexities and opportunities in climate finance and the global effort to combat climate change.

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This week, Karan Mehta, Venture Principal at Green Frontier Capital, welcomed Sumedh Battewar, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, and Aditya Oza, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer of EMotorad — an electric vehicle company dedicated to empowering people with the best and most affordable e-bikes while contributing to making the world a better place, one bike at a time. Mr. Battewar and Mr. Oza share their journey to establishing EMotorad with their partners Rajib Gangopadhyay, Founder & Managing Director, and Kunal Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO. They shared the significance of providing electric bikes to India, a country with a 1.5 billion population. We hope you have a chance to watch and learn more about a brand at the forefront of the electric bicycle industry in India.

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This week Ritika Jajoo, Venture Analyst at Green Frontier Capital, sat down with Ulka Kelkar, Executive Director for Climate at the World Resources Institute India (WRI India). A veteran economist with over two decades of work in climate policy, Ms. Kelkar shares some of her journey as a climate professional, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of climate-related challenges. Addressing climate issues, she explains, involves not only scientific and economic considerations but requires collaboration across diverse disciplines.

Having been at the forefront of climate policy for more than twenty years, Ms. Kelkar sheds light on the broader context of decarbonization and the net zero transition. She provides a unique perspective on India's role in the global trajectory, emphasizing the unique challenges and opportunities posed by the country's sheer scale.

Join us for this enlightening conversation with Ulka Kelkar as we explore the multifaceted dimensions of climate action, sustainability, and the pivotal role of India in the ongoing decarbonization discourse.

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This week, Karan Mehta, Venture Principal at Green Frontier Capital, welcomed Punit K Goyal, Co-Founder of BluSmart. BluSmart is India's first and leading all-electric ride-hailing service, as well as the largest network of EV charging superhub infrastructure. Mr. Goyal shares his path as an entrepreneur, beginning with the manufacturing of solar panels and solar plants in India. After meeting his Co-Founder, Anmol Jaggi, and researching the role that EV's will play in future markets like India, along with pivotal meetings, including one with the former CFO of Uber (2013-2015), Brent Callinicos, he understood that the future would be electric and that it had to be embraced.

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